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View Full Version : I finally did it- made a composter!


rscotth
09-03-2009, 02:13 PM
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momoese
09-03-2009, 02:18 PM
Awesome! I know where to get the barrels free, or at least I used to. Can't believe I never thought about doing that. Thanks for the inspiration and please update the thread to let us know how it works for you.

Bob
09-03-2009, 02:31 PM
Well done Bob!!!! good job, you will be very happy with the resulting compost and turning a barrel on "bearings " will save your spine which of course we all want to do. Good for you!:woohoonaner::goteam:

momoese
09-03-2009, 02:43 PM
Bob, how will you remove the finished compost?

rscotth
09-03-2009, 02:55 PM
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momoese
09-03-2009, 02:58 PM
I was thinking if you made the front cross support removable you could slide a wheelbarrow under the front and let the compost fall straight into it. If it's not high enough just add to the legs or use blocks.

Bob
09-03-2009, 03:01 PM
I was thinking if you made the front cross support removable you could slide a wheelbarrow under the front and let the compost fall straight into it. If it's not high enough just add to the legs or use blocks.

Great Idea!!!! This would actually be an improvement over the open pile I've used forever........once again to save my perpetually aching spine.
THANKS

rscotth
09-03-2009, 03:11 PM
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Patty in Wisc
09-03-2009, 05:14 PM
Nice bin Bob. Maybe if the door was bigger for easier access(?) Those are what they make rain barrels out of here.

rscotth
09-03-2009, 06:02 PM
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Kim
09-03-2009, 06:36 PM
Great job Bob;

You asked about any suggestions. :2738: Put a bycicle pedal type handle on it to make it easier for you to turn it. :2750: Since the opening is where it is, try putting doors on the sides to make it easier to push the composit out the main door. :05: When looking for paint, get the paint that adheres to plastic. :vandelnana: The paint designed for metal or wood will just keep chipping or peeling off.

Hope this gives you more ideas. :2722:


:waving:

supermario
09-03-2009, 09:26 PM
Excellent job!

One question.. don't you need to make a few holes for ventilation?

Patty in Wisc
09-04-2009, 02:07 AM
My compost bin is a big garbage cart. I drilled a ton of 1/2" or so holes all over it. I bungee the lid down & roll it on its side & turn on occassion.

rscotth
09-04-2009, 07:10 AM
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djmb74
09-04-2009, 08:43 PM
Awesome, I have a few barrels like that myself laying around waiting for me to show them some attention!

Blake09
09-04-2009, 08:53 PM
This gives me an Idea, I could get hundreds of them!!

I might make the 60gal. drum a good composter :) :woohoonaner:

bencelest
09-05-2009, 10:56 AM
All of the above posts are excellent ideas and I have one drum that looks exactly like in the picture. I was convinced that I will make one until yesterday when I went to Costco and there is a composter there that is similar to the one it is discussed here.
The cost is $99 compared to the cost $400 is selling on Ebay.
Now, is it worth $99 ? Will I get my moneys' worth?

Blake09
09-05-2009, 11:03 AM
I almost think its better to home make one, CHEEPER.

rscotth
09-05-2009, 11:53 AM
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Blake09
09-05-2009, 12:03 PM
If I were to buy one I would go for, thanks rscotth fo posting this:
COMPOST BLACK GOLD~COMPOSTER TUMBLER BARREL BIN - eBay (item 260472048532 end time Sep-06-09 18:15:00 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/COMPOST-BLACK-GOLD-COMPOSTER-TUMBLER-BARREL-BIN_W0QQitemZ260472048532QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?h ash=item3ca5580b94&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)

Its a good deal :)

ShearMe
09-05-2009, 10:10 PM
I thought this was DIY and not eBay. :P


How'd you do the pvc bearings?

I might try and make one in my welding class this year, but if I do it will be made of metal. Any thoughts on whether or not an all-metal version would be practical? I'm thinking I could even make a table version by covering the barrel and lowering the legs a bit. That would then make it easier to scoop out some compost into a plastic tote as needed to do small jobs and give some extra storage space up high.

bencelest
09-06-2009, 12:44 AM
I thought this was DIY and not eBay. :P




The choice is yours.
It's good to have some choices. Some people does not have the time or skills to do some project like this. Specially Time.
I am glad someone suggested the Ebay source.
Thank you.

Bob
09-06-2009, 12:54 AM
I've been thinking about this since it sems very practical. I think a loose fitting PVC pipe over a metal rod would work well . I really like the idea of pouring it directly in to the wheel barrow vs. pitchforking it up from the ground. Probably with a bit of a bigger door for ease of loading/unloading the bin.

rscotth
09-06-2009, 08:48 AM
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djmb74
09-06-2009, 10:02 AM
I am right there with you on trying to do everything myself. I have 6 kids and for almost 4 years I was a single dad with 5 kids and money was really tight. I learned a lot of ways to make a penny go a long way! haha

Most of the composters that people I know have purchased ended up not lasting very long and pretty cheap material! My Step mother has one they paid $100 for and it must be like $5 worth of plastic poorly snapped together! lol


I like to do all my own work and be self sufficient- I don't even like to take my car to a mechanic. If you have the materials it can save you a little money and more of a sense of acomplishment than anything. I have a four children and money seems to get tighter every day and we are always looking for ways to save a little cash.

Ebay does have composters for some decent prices. I found a mini composter for $99.00 free shipping.

Those Rain barrels are everywhere, and if you buy one from someone on craigslist make sure to negotiate for a cheaper price then what they are asking! I got mine for $5 each!!!

Martin

Back Yard Mini Tumbler Garden Composter - eBay (item 260470215225 end time Sep-06-09 19:00:15 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/Back-Yard-Mini-Tumbler-Garden-Composter_W0QQitemZ260470215225QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDoma in_0?hash=item3ca53c1239&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)

There are several full size for around the $139.00 and I also found this 30 gallon for $125.00 and free shipping.

COMPOST BLACK GOLD~COMPOSTER TUMBLER BARREL BIN - eBay (item 260472048532 end time Sep-06-09 18:15:00 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/COMPOST-BLACK-GOLD-COMPOSTER-TUMBLER-BARREL-BIN_W0QQitemZ260472048532QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?h ash=item3ca5580b94&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)

I had some extra 2X4's laying around and as a result everything cost me about $33.00 and then again 2X4's are roughly $2.00 for 8' pieces so from scratch maybe $45.00 since it can be constructed intirely of 2X4's.
Like most things it's just personal preference..............

djmb74
09-06-2009, 10:05 AM
I would put the PVC pipe all the way through and put some grease down it before putting the rod in. Barrel would turn real easy that way!

djmb74
12-02-2009, 12:34 PM
wanted to give an update on my composter I built using a similar idea as the original poster of this thread.

Very disappointing, if anyone is considering this design or buying one of similar design I recommend against it. Had a lot more luck with my normal compost pile. With the tumbler you just don't get enough heat built up since your pile is not high enough in side a barrel that is sideways. Mostly stuff just rots in it and in order to fill it up with enough material to build up sufficient heat and composting the barrel is just to heavy to turn easily. I think if you were going to use one of these barrels it would be better to just cut out the top and bottom set it standing straight up ad holes in the side for ventilation fill it to the top and it would work better. knock it over every other week dump it out the fill it back up with a shovel so as to keep things mixed up...

Nothing against the original poster just my 2 cents I hope he had better luck with it then me...

rscotth
12-02-2009, 05:34 PM
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djmb74
12-02-2009, 05:48 PM
I painted mine black...

I actually use way more than the barrel would produce so its better for me to do a Huge compost pile.

I'm glad yours is working for you!

I think I am just going to build 4 large Slatted Compost Bins 2 replace my piles, 2 of them right next to the chicken coop to compost my chicken manure...

I also have the vermicomposter going now as well...

you must not be putting as much in yours as mine if your daughter can still turn it. Me and my 19 year old have a hard time turning it with with one on either side...

rscotth
12-06-2009, 09:34 PM
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rscotth
12-10-2009, 05:30 AM
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djmb74
12-10-2009, 09:46 AM
Still no pic- huh? Any other time your right there with a "comment" within ten minutes.

omg... no need to get testy. Dude this was not intended as a personal attack against you. Are you seriously getting offended at me posting my experience with a composter?

My wife has had the camera in her purse with her when she goes to work as she has been taking pictures of some jobs her company is bidding on. But now I don't think I am really interested in going any further with thread as I am a little shocked at the comment and its been a horrible week with myself and 3 of the kids being really sick...

djmb74
12-11-2009, 01:19 PM
alright did not want to be the cause of raising someone's blood pressure because I forgot to post a picture!

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/bosskids/P1010010.jpg

rscotth
12-11-2009, 02:46 PM
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djmb74
12-11-2009, 04:23 PM
Not sure what you mean by quick to answer for other people as I thought I was just answering for myself. I am sorry if I offended you and you feel I have attacked you by making a determination that this design that other people besides yourself have done and some people are selling on ebay isn't all that great. Not sure why you are taking this a reflection on you and coming back at me from such a negative direction. From your first response I was expecting you to just go on the attack of my composter and I don't have a problem with that. Maybe the one I made isn't working so well because I made it or maybe you have less gravity closer to the equator down where you are than I do so its easier to turn... who knows! :ha:

Its treated lumber and I took the picture today. I made the composter a few months ago at the end of September. Hasn't fallen over yet or even given the impression that it was going to fall over but I had intended on putting up another brace in the middle of the legs. Its half full of material right now, half of it was seaweed from going to the beach in September. The bucket under neath is there to catch the liquid tea that I have been putting on my vegetables...

No need to get all pissy on the internet... your way out of line to come on the attack like you have been!!!!

wordwiz
12-11-2009, 10:04 PM
It looks like a real piece of art and a great job to me! Great job.

Is the bucket there to collect tea?

Mike

Blake09
12-11-2009, 10:32 PM
Is the bucket there to collect tea?

Mike


The bucket under neath is there to catch the liquid tea that I have been putting on my vegetables...




;)




.

djmb74
12-12-2009, 07:52 PM
oh yah and I used Deck screws not nails... they hold much better!

rscotth
12-13-2009, 11:03 AM
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djmb74
12-13-2009, 12:53 PM
Nah gonna take a full last paragraph or so not word...

Seriously, you must have never read anything I have typed on this site in the past as you got me confused with someone else!

My feelings were never hurt I was just confused at how YOU took my opinion on the composter so personal.

My life is far from sheltered being a 40 year old father of 6 kids and being a small business owner since I was 19 years old.

I apologize if anything I have typed on this post gave you the wrong impression and I hope you have a wonderful week and a great holiday!


oh and I am glad your composter works well for you, would of been nice if I had the same experience with it as you did!

momoese
12-13-2009, 12:56 PM
Martin, Bob is right about the design flaw. With no gussets those two upright 2x4's could either break or simply bend pulling the screws right out of the wood. If you plan to continue using it I'd beef it up some by adding some diagonal gusset pieces to both sides front and rear and possibly another cross support as well. Better to be safe than sorry.

djmb74
12-13-2009, 02:13 PM
Thanks Mitchel I totally agree on it needing more support and had mentioned that previously that I had planned on bracing it just hadn't gotten around to it. N
Hasn't fallen over yet or even given the impression that it was going to fall over but I had intended on putting up another brace in the middle of the legs. I


Guess I was just taken aback at his snide comment about me forgetting about posting a picture of it.

I am no carpenter nor portray myself to be one, heck maybe it doesn't work right because of my poor carpentry skills. I just put something together to see if it was something that would work out for me and my needs. In my opinion though its more of a gravity and leverage thing. So much weight is settled at the bottom of the barrel and not enough leverage to turn it easily. Perhaps putting some kind of a pulley system with a bicycle pedal set up as mentioned previously would help.

Once I started thinking about it and how a compost pile actually works I released that its not just the matter of being able to turn the pile in the barrel but its how tall a pile is that causes it to compost properly and heat up. No way to get your pile 3ft to 5ft high in side a barrel turned sideways in order to get the middle of the pile to heat up as any site you go to research composting it says a pile should be no smaller than 3ft x 3ft x 3ft.

Perhaps taking the barrel and standing it on end with rod through it then you would be able to get the pile high enough inside. But then you have even more of an issue with gravity and leverage trying to turn the barrel.

I am just going by my experience with and knowing what results to expect from my standard compost piles and the large composter that my step mother has and have determined that barrel just isn't working out for me so I will probable take it apart and cut it in half and reuse it for an idea I have for another worm farm and see how that works!

Thanks,

Martin

And Bob no hard feelings, I am not angry or hurt nor was I ever things can be misconstrued from a string of words based on your frame of mind at the time perhaps.


N
Hasn't fallen over yet or even given the impression that it was going to fall over but I had intended on putting up another brace in the middle of the legs. I

wordwiz
12-13-2009, 02:37 PM
...as any site you go to research composting it says a pile should be no smaller than 3ft x 3ft x 3ft.

Martin


Actually, two of my compost "piles" are 1' x 1' x 1'! But that's the ones in my greenhouse and grow room. Nothing of any size goes into them, usually just leaves (green and brown) and table scraps.

It works pretty well, plus gives me some tea!

Mike

djmb74
12-13-2009, 02:45 PM
cool, how long does it usually take to get some usable "dirt"?



Actually, two of my compost "piles" are 1' x 1' x 1'! But that's the ones in my greenhouse and grow room. Nothing of any size goes into them, usually just leaves (green and brown) and table scraps.

It works pretty well, plus gives me some tea!

Mike

wordwiz
12-14-2009, 01:30 PM
cool, how long does it usually take to get some usable "dirt"?

I really can't say - for two reasons! The first is just the simple reason I never really paid any attention as well as I keep adding to it. If I had to guess I would say a couple of months at the bottom.

The second reason is that I LOVE using material that has not completely composted in my containers or even garden. I don't use a deep layer of it, maybe something equal to one part of compost to two parts very loose dirt and one part potting mix.

Mike